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What does the Bible say about asking?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible invites believers to bring their requests to God with faith, humility, and submission to his wise and gracious will. Jesus teaches his disciples to ask, seek, and knock, trusting the Father’s generosity (Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:8-10). God hears those who abide in Christ and seek to obey him, yet James warns that selfish, pleasure-driven motives hinder prayer (1 John 3:22; James 4:2-3). Asking includes confession, for God faithfully forgives repentant sinners through Christ (1 John 1:9). Because nothing is too difficult for the Lord, Christians may pray boldly while allowing Scripture to renew their desires and conform them to God’s will (Jeremiah 32:27; Romans 12:2).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Matthew 7:7

    "Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.

  • 1 John 3:22

    and whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.

  • James 4:3

    You ask, and don't receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it for your pleasures.

  • James 4:2

    You lust, and don't have. You kill, covet, and can't obtain. You fight and make war. You don't have, because you don't ask.

  • 1 John 1:9

    If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

  • Luke 11:8-10

    [8] I tell you, although he will not rise and give it to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence, he will get up and give him as many as he needs. [9] "I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.

  • Jeremiah 32:27

    Behold, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?

  • Romans 12:2

    Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

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